Mounties have identified suspects involved in the Friday night assault of a Kelowna international student but say no arrests have been made.
“While the motivation for the assault, and the details surrounding it, are still being investigated by police, the BC Hate Crimes Team has been consulted to ensure that any hate elements, if any, are properly identified and investigated,” RCMP said in a press release Tuesday morning.
Kelowna RCMP have augmented resources into the investigation. Members of the Kelowna RCMP general investigation services team have taken over conduct of the file.
“It is imperative that we conduct our investigations methodically and thoroughly to obtain all available evidence,” said Insp. Rob Pikola, acting officer in charge of the Kelowna Regional RCMP.
“We condemn this incident and take all acts of violence in our community very seriously.”
Investigators continue to remain in contact with the victim, Gagandeep Singh, and have offered the support of Kelowna RCMP victim services.
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Gagandeep Singh was on board a bus on Highway 97 heading into Rutland on Friday night when he ran into a dozen or more young people who were causing a disturbance. They were tossing around a wig, which later hit him and, according to Singh’s friends, he asked them to stop. When he later got off the bus, they followed and jumped him.
“You come to Canada for a better life, your parents send you here as an international student because it’s a safe country and it’s deemed safe. No one in their right mind would ever expect that an attack like this is gonna get carried out,” said spokesperson Manik Dhir.
Singh suffered multiple injuries from the attack including a concussion. He returned to the hospital a few days after the initial incident, as he wasn’t fully assessed.
“He discharged himself because he was super afraid of what that might even cost him, what the charges look like on what it is. He was literally at home so we wanted to make sure he got the medical attention that he deserves,” Dhir said.
A GoFundMe page was started for the 21-year-old to help him pay for his medical bills and any other expenses. The fundraiser was closed Tuesday afternoon, raising over $22,000. Singh provided an update to the public on the page, grateful for the community’s response.
“I really appreciate the support across Canada from everyone. The comments on the GoFundMe page and the outpouring of support have reminded me of why I came to Canada. Thank you for your donations over the last two days, they are above and beyond what I ever imagined,” said Singh.
The attack has garnered widespread condemnation.
“They severely beat him but that wasn’t enough for these lowlifes. They removed his turban and dragged him on the street by his hair. This was a hate crime committed by cowards, who should be punished severely. Everyone here will agree that the senseless act of race-based violence is unacceptable, but we need to do more,” MP Dan Albas said.
Early Tuesday afternoon, the City of Kelowna released a statement on the attack, saying it is something not tolerated in the community.
“The Mayor and all of City Council were shocked and appalled to hear of the assault perpetrated against Mr. Gagandeep Singh. Our sympathies are with the young man as he recovers from his injuries and we wish him a full and speedy recovery,” read the statement.
Partnering agencies in this investigation including BC Transit are cooperating with police in providing the necessary evidence.
Investigators are currently conducting extensive video canvassing and continue to ask the public to provide any dash camera video from the area on March 17 between 10:15 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.
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